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Journal of Biomedical Optics Apr 2015Fluorescent emission of human teeth and dental calculus is important for the esthetic rehabilitation of teeth, diagnosis of dental caries, and detection of dental... (Review)
Review
Fluorescent emission of human teeth and dental calculus is important for the esthetic rehabilitation of teeth, diagnosis of dental caries, and detection of dental calculus. The purposes of this review were to summarize the fluorescence and phosphorescence of human teeth by ambient ultraviolet (UV) light, to investigate the clinically relevant fluorescence measurement methods in dentistry, and to review the fluorescence of teeth and dental calculus by specific wavelength light. Dentine was three times more phosphorescent than enamel. When exposed to light sources containing UV components, the fluorescence of human teeth gives them the quality of vitality, and fluorescent emission with a peak of 440 nm is observed. Esthetic restorative materials should have fluorescence properties similar to those of natural teeth. Based on the fluorescence of teeth and restorative materials as determined with a spectrophotometer, a fluorescence parameter was defined. As to the fluorescence spectra by a specific wavelength, varied wavelengths were investigated for clinical applications, and several methods for the diagnosis of dental caries and the detection of dental calculus were developed. Since fluorescent properties of dental hard tissues have been used and would be expanded in diverse fields of clinical practice, these properties should be investigated further, embracing newly developed optical techniques.
Topics: Dental Calculus; Humans; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Tooth; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 25875625
DOI: 10.1117/1.JBO.20.4.040901 -
BMC Veterinary Research Aug 2020Dogs' saliva is a complex mixture of inorganic and organic constituents, rich in proteins. Therefore, knowing the saliva composition of these animals is extremely...
BACKGROUND
Dogs' saliva is a complex mixture of inorganic and organic constituents, rich in proteins. Therefore, knowing the saliva composition of these animals is extremely important to identify the presence of proteins that may be involved in physiological and pathological mechanisms of their oral cavity. The present study aimed to characterize the proteomic profile of saliva from dogs with and without dental calculus.
RESULTS
Saliva samples were collected from 20 dogs. Before the collection, a visual clinical examination was performed and 8 subjects (40%) did not present any signs of dental calculus, while 12 (60%) presented dental calculus. After saliva collection, the samples were submitted to protein quantification (mBCA), and then they were prepared for analysis by nLC-ESI-MS/MS. A total of 658 unique proteins were identified, of which 225 were specific to dogs without dental calculus, 300 were specific to dogs with dental calculus, and 133 were common to all subjects. These proteins presented functions including transportation, immune response, structural, enzymatic regulation, signal transduction, transcription, metabolism, and some proteins perform functions as yet unknown. Several salivary proteins in dogs with dental calculus differed from those found in the group without dental calculus. Among the abundant proteins detected in periodontal affected cases, can be highlighting calcium-sensing receptor and transforming growth factor beta. Enrichment analysis reveled the presence of Rho GTPases signaling pathway.
CONCLUSIONS
This research identified salivary proteins, that should be further investigated as potencial biomarkers of chronic periodontits with dental calculus formation in dogs.
Topics: Animals; Dental Calculus; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Female; Male; Periodontitis; Proteome; Salivary Proteins and Peptides
PubMed: 32814559
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02514-0 -
PNAS Nexus Sep 2022Dental calculus preserves oral microbes, enabling comparative studies of the oral microbiome and health through time. However, small sample sizes and limited dental...
Dental calculus preserves oral microbes, enabling comparative studies of the oral microbiome and health through time. However, small sample sizes and limited dental health metadata have hindered health-focused investigations to date. Here, we investigate the relationship between tobacco pipe smoking and dental calculus microbiomes. Dental calculus from 75 individuals from the 19th century Middenbeemster skeletal collection (Netherlands) were analyzed by metagenomics. Demographic and dental health parameters were systematically recorded, including the presence/number of pipe notches. Comparative data sets from European populations before and after the introduction of tobacco were also analyzed. Calculus species profiles were compared with oral pathology to examine associations between microbiome community, smoking behavior, and oral health status. The Middenbeemster individuals exhibited relatively poor oral health, with a high prevalence of periodontal disease, caries, heavy calculus deposits, and antemortem tooth loss. No associations between pipe notches and dental pathologies, or microbial species composition, were found. Calculus samples before and after the introduction of tobacco showed highly similar species profiles. Observed interindividual microbiome differences were consistent with previously described variation in human populations from the Upper Paleolithic to the present. Dental calculus may not preserve microbial indicators of health and disease status as distinctly as dental plaque.
PubMed: 36714834
DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac148 -
Journal of Oral Biology (Northborough,... 2016An inverse relationship between dental calculus mineralization and dental caries demineralization on teeth has been noted in some studies. Dental calculus may even form...
BACKGROUND
An inverse relationship between dental calculus mineralization and dental caries demineralization on teeth has been noted in some studies. Dental calculus may even form superficial layers over existing dental caries and arrest their progression, but this phenomenon has been only rarely documented and infrequently considered in the field of Cariology. To further assess the occurrence of dental calculus arrest of dental caries, this study evaluated a large number of extracted human teeth for the presence and location of dental caries, dental calculus, and dental plaque biofilms.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 1,200 teeth were preserved in 10% buffered formal saline, and viewed while moist by a single experienced examiner using a research stereomicroscope at 15-25× magnification. Representative teeth were sectioned and photographed, and their dental plaque biofilms subjected to gram-stain examination with light microscopy at 100× magnification.
RESULTS
Dental calculus was observed on 1,140 (95%) of the extracted human teeth, and no dental carious lesions were found underlying dental calculus-covered surfaces on 1,139 of these teeth. However, dental calculus arrest of dental caries was found on one (0.54%) of 187 evaluated teeth that presented with unrestored proximal enamel caries. On the distal surface of a maxillary premolar tooth, dental calculus mineralization filled the outer surface cavitation of an incipient dental caries lesion. The dental calculus-covered carious lesion extended only slightly into enamel, and exhibited a brown pigmentation characteristic of inactive or arrested dental caries. In contrast, the tooth's mesial surface, without a superficial layer of dental calculus, had a large carious lesion going through enamel and deep into dentin.
CONCLUSIONS
These observations further document the potential protective effects of dental calculus mineralization against dental caries.
PubMed: 27446993
DOI: 10.13188/2377-987x.1000017 -
Child Neurology Open 2023Moebius Syndrome, is a rare, non-progressive congenital neuropathological syndrome characterized primarily by the underdevelopment of the facial (CN VII) and abducens... (Review)
Review
Moebius Syndrome, is a rare, non-progressive congenital neuropathological syndrome characterized primarily by the underdevelopment of the facial (CN VII) and abducens nerve (CN VI). Other features of Moebius Syndrome include facial nerve paresis, ophthalmoplegias, orthodontic deficiencies (including crowded dentition, swollen and hyperplastic gingiva, dental calculus, etc.), musculoskeletal abnormalities, and impaired mental function. Due to the rarity of the disorder, very few case studies have been reported in the literature. This article summarizes the significant features of the disease according to commonalities in reported cases, along with several newly recognized features cited in recent literature. We have explored the different diagnostic criteria and the newly recognized imaging modalities that may be used. Understandably, the condition detrimentally affects a patient's quality of life; thus, treatment measures have also been outlined. This study aims to provide updated literature on Moebius Syndrome MBS and improve understanding of the condition.
PubMed: 37868706
DOI: 10.1177/2329048X231205405 -
Journal of Oral Biology and... 2023Dental calculus, formed by mineralization of plaque predisposes to the development of periodontal disease.
CONTEXT
Dental calculus, formed by mineralization of plaque predisposes to the development of periodontal disease.
AIM
To evaluate the influence of salivary urea and the presence of ureolytic bacteria on dental calculus formation and periodontal status in patients with good, fair and poor oral hygiene.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
An observational cross-sectional study was carried out on 135 patients, 18-60 years of age. Based on the simplified calculus index, patients were divided into three groups, good oral hygiene, fair oral hygiene and poor oral hygiene. Clinical parameters such as plaque index, gingival index, pocket probing depth and clinical attachment level and salivary pH were recorded for each subject. Saliva samples were collected to evaluate the urea levels using autoanalyzer method. Supragingival calculus samples were collected and presence and quantification of ureolytic bacteria were done by gram staining and bacterial culture and confirmed by biochemical reaction. For statistical analysis, test like Shapiro-Wilk test, Kruskal Wallis and Spearman's rho were used.
RESULTS
Increase in salivary pH was associated with increased odds of higher calculus index score (odds ratio = 2.785). There was a non-significant weak correlation between salivary urea and ureolytic bacteria in dental calculus in all the three groups (p > 0.05). Higher calculus index score was associated with increased odds of presence of ureolytic bacteria (odds ratio>1).
CONCLUSIONS
Higher level of ureolytic bacteria with increasing calculus index score may breakdown the salivary urea to ammonia resulting in a ureolytic pH rise that facilitate calcium phosphate saturation leading to more calculus formation.
PubMed: 36345494
DOI: 10.1016/j.jobcr.2022.10.004 -
Metabolomics : Official Journal of the... 2017Dental calculus is a mineralized microbial dental plaque biofilm that forms throughout life by precipitation of salivary calcium salts. Successive cycles of dental...
INTRODUCTION
Dental calculus is a mineralized microbial dental plaque biofilm that forms throughout life by precipitation of salivary calcium salts. Successive cycles of dental plaque growth and calcification make it an unusually well-preserved, long-term record of host-microbial interaction in the archaeological record. Recent studies have confirmed the survival of authentic ancient DNA and proteins within historic and prehistoric dental calculus, making it a promising substrate for investigating oral microbiome evolution via direct measurement and comparison of modern and ancient specimens.
OBJECTIVE
We present the first comprehensive characterization of the human dental calculus metabolome using a multi-platform approach.
METHODS
Ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) quantified 285 metabolites in modern and historic (200 years old) dental calculus, including metabolites of drug and dietary origin. A subset of historic samples was additionally analyzed by high-resolution gas chromatography-MS (GC-MS) and UPLC-MS/MS for further characterization of metabolites and lipids. Metabolite profiles of modern and historic calculus were compared to identify patterns of persistence and loss.
RESULTS
Dipeptides, free amino acids, free nucleotides, and carbohydrates substantially decrease in abundance and ubiquity in archaeological samples, with some exceptions. Lipids generally persist, and saturated and mono-unsaturated medium and long chain fatty acids appear to be well-preserved, while metabolic derivatives related to oxidation and chemical degradation are found at higher levels in archaeological dental calculus than fresh samples.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that certain metabolite classes have higher potential for recovery over long time scales and may serve as appropriate targets for oral microbiome evolutionary studies.
PubMed: 29046620
DOI: 10.1007/s11306-017-1270-3 -
Scientifica 2016Our perception of our closest human relatives, the Neanderthals, has evolved in the last few decades from brutish ape-men to intelligent archaic human peoples. Our... (Review)
Review
Our perception of our closest human relatives, the Neanderthals, has evolved in the last few decades from brutish ape-men to intelligent archaic human peoples. Our understanding and appreciation of their cultural sophistication has only recently extended to their diet. Only within the last few years, with new techniques and a shift in focus, have we begun to truly investigate and understand the role of plants in their diet and culture. The more we learn about Neanderthals, the more we realize that biological and cultural distinctions between them and us were relatively small. Given that we coexisted and likely interacted with them for thousands of years, the more we learn about them, the better we may understand our own past. In that light, we review the current evidence, derived from such sources as plant remains (e.g., starch, pollen, phytoliths, and seeds) in soil and dental calculus, dental and tool wear, coprolites, and genetics, for Neanderthal's nutritional, medicinal, and ritual use of plants, which includes 61 different taxa from 26 different plant families found at 17 different archaeological sites. Further, we updated and standardized botanical nomenclature from many sources published over many decades to provide a more stable foundation for future work.
PubMed: 27843675
DOI: 10.1155/2016/8927654 -
Association Between Kidney Stone and Dental Calculus in a Saudi Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.Cureus Apr 2023To investigate the correlation between dental calculus and kidney stones, and to identify the risk factors associated with the presence of these conditions.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation between dental calculus and kidney stones, and to identify the risk factors associated with the presence of these conditions.
METHODS
This study was carried out at the medical city, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between 2020 and 2021. The study included 141 participants (70 with kidney stones and 71 with controls). The dental plaque and calculus indices were used to record plaque and calculus scores, respectively. All information was statistically investigated and the level of significance was set at <0.05.
RESULTS
The plaque and calculus indices were significantly higher in the control group when compared to the kidney stone group (<0.05). A weak positive correlation between age and the calculus index in the kidney stone group was revealed (=0.31, =0.01). However, only within the age group 36-55, the results showed that the control group had a significantly higher calculus index than that of the kidney stone group (=0.02). The married patients with kidney stones scored a significantly higher plaque index than the unmarried patients (=0.03).
CONCLUSION
The dental plaque and calculus indices were lower in the kidney stone group than those of the non-kidney stone group. Therefore, the clinical observation of dental plaque and calculus may not be indicators of kidney stones. However, within the kidney stone group, elderly and married patients could be at a higher risk for developing dental calculus and plaque, respectively.
PubMed: 37051443
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.37279 -
The Saudi Dental Journal Jan 2014Dental plaque is considered to be a major etiological factor in the development of periodontal disease. Accordingly, the elimination of supra- and sub-gingival plaque... (Review)
Review
Dental plaque is considered to be a major etiological factor in the development of periodontal disease. Accordingly, the elimination of supra- and sub-gingival plaque and calculus is the cornerstone of periodontal therapy. Dental calculus is mineralized plaque; because it is porous, it can absorb various toxic products that can damage the periodontal tissues. Hence, calculus should be accurately detected and thoroughly removed for adequate periodontal therapy. Many techniques have been used to identify and remove calculus deposits present on the root surface. The purpose of this review was to compile the various methods and their advantages for the detection and removal of calculus.
PubMed: 24526823
DOI: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2013.12.003